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Angels direct shop owners to new business

A couple angels get the credit for a new consignment shop in downtown Roberts.

Granny's Nook officially opened for business on Tuesday. Owners Nancy Fischer of Roberts and Becky Cambern of Hudson could be found behind the counter laughing and having a good time.

During the shop's grand opening week, customers are welcome to take part in an angel reading.

Angel readings are conducted by a trained reader, who uses cards to predict the future and offer advice.

"It's for entertainment only," Fischer said with a laugh.

"It's kind of a fun thing," Cambern adds.

Fischer explained there are angels around everyone, and a reading can often reveal some important information that can steer your life in a different direction.

"That's one of the reasons why we decided we could do this shop," she said.

Fisher's angel reading indicated that she shouldn't be afraid to try something new. Cambern's reading focused on prosperity, which soon came true in several instances.

With angels behind them, the business owners began to explore possibilities together.

Fisher had a successful garage sale in May, and from then on things started to fall into place.

This week's opening came after a whirlwind of two months since the longtime friends first came up with the idea of starting a business together.

"We've been talking before about doing a business together," Fischer said. "We've been best friends for years. A lot of best friends can't work together, but we can."

The two grandmothers (three grandkids apiece) chose to locate the business in Roberts because of its central location among the county's large population areas. That makes the business convenient for customers and consignors.

"Roberts is a growing community," Fischer said. "We thought it was in the middle of everything."

People with crafts, antiques and artwork for sale place their items at the shop for a minimum three-month period. The shop owners take a cut of the sale price of each item to cover the cost of operating the business.

Among the items for sale are crafts, gifts, glassware, furniture, jewelry, greeting cards and more.

"We have a variety of prices to fit everyone's pocketbook," Becky said. "We're looking for unique consignors and unique gifts."

consignors have come from all over to display their goods at Granny's Nook. Some have come from as far away as Menomonie and Durand.

"We've been very fortunate because we've had some awesome consignors to work with," Fischer said.

Cambern said the shop also tries to emphasize quality over quantity.

"We don't want it to be known as a junk shop," Cambern added. "We want to keep it very tasteful."

Granny's Nook also has a "garage sale room" in the back of the business. Cambern said anyone wanting the shop owners to conduct an indoor garage sale for them can arrange to drop off their stuff for a week.

"We take our commission from the final sale," she said. "They don't have to sit with it or display it, and it does not depend on the weather. All they have to do is drop it off and we handle it."

Consignment garage sale businesses are popular down south, Fischer said. If it works in places like Texas, they thought, why wouldn't it work in Roberts?

"I think it will be a service that will be popular," Cambern said. "Especially in the winter. You hear people all winter long saying they can't wait to go to garage sales."

Granny's Nook will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located across the street from Roberts Grocery.

"So many people are so excited about this shop," Cambern said. "We've had a lot of compliments and good feedback."

Several Roberts residents told the owners that Granny's Nook will add vitality to Roberts' downtown.